Chutney

Gorkha Chutney (Nepalese Style Chutney)

April 15, 2023 By Asha Shivakumar

This Gorkha Chutney is spicy and delicious. THis is an inspired dish, that is a perfect side with rotis. This Nepalese style dish is called the Gorkha chutney. Vegan and SO GOOD!

I went through a stage couple of decades ago when I researched about various cuisines of India few countries too and wrote about them in my note book(which I still believe I’ll publish one day). I was so intrigued by local food of different countries. I tried speaking to friends from those regions, learnt how to make some authentic food(I tried). I could have a conversation about local cuisine to people and that felt good. Don’t know what happened to that book or that enthusiasm. I can go on and on about the various types of dishes I’ve learnt, but I’ll bore you’ll next time. Today it’s about the beautiful country, Nepal where Momos are a popular delicacy. And this dish I very recently came across. I’ts called the gorkha chutney.

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Plantain Tostada with Apple Chutney

November 8, 2022 By Asha Shivakumar

Quick and Tasty Plantain Tostada with Apple Chutney. Tostadas can be used as tortillas too. It’s gluten free, perfect for people with allergies. It’s fresh and delicious. Top it with beans, chicken, tofu, salsas, SO Good!

It’s just another day… and you’re just doing what you need to do.

You’re getting things done, and the day moves forward in this continuous sequence of checklists, actions, and respites.

But at various moments of your routine, you pause and take a good look at your surroundings.

The scenes of your everyday life. The blur of this all-too-familiar film.

And you can’t help but to wonder…

If there is more to it all.

For some reason — this country, this city, this neighborhood, this particular street — is the place you are living a majority of your life in.

And it is this thought that allows a daydream to seep in….

Eggplant chutney/Sutta Kathrikka Chutney

October 22, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Eggplant Chutney is a popular recipe of Coimbatore. BURSTING with flavor, you’re going to love this versatile and wonderfully delicious chutney.

If you are a regular you know I am a huge fan of authentic regional recipes and this one is from my family in Coimbatore. The food of Coimbatore has a rustic appeal to it. I am married into a wonderful family of great cooks. My mum in law has that magic touch and so does her sister, Vasantha chitthi. As a young bride I was so inquisitive about the food they prepared and wanted to learn everything, well at least as much as I could in the short week I stayed there. They were equally happy to share their secrets with me, and Vasantha chitthi was a darling to guide me. One of the first things I learnt was onion chutney, that was so tasty and so simple. Then they taught me how to make chutneys with vegetables that I shared with my mom and cousins back home. The base being the same. This kongunaadu Sutta kathrikka chutney or eggplant chutney is a recipe that’s passed on from my aunt-in-laws. My recipe repertoire has been enhanced, thanks to them.

As always I love sharing what I’ve learnt and love, so here’s the recipe of the chutney for you.

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Cucumber Chutney/ Southekkai Chutney Mangalore style

September 18, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This is a healthy and flavorful chutney from the region of Mangalore, Karnataka. This cucumber/southekkai chutney is tasty mixed with rice, with chapathi or dosa.

That night, after a long work day, Mom comes home tired and sits down for a cup of coffee. After a quick little chat, she goes to make dinner, which is ready in less than thirty minutes. She made this chutney and chapathis. We all sit down on our mats to eat our dinner while Doordarshan (the TV program) is running in the background. Mom and I look at each other, and she gives me a sneaky look. “It’s just coconut chutney with lots of coriander,” she says even without me asking anything….

DOSA- A SOUTH INDIAN SPECIALITY

February 5, 2014 By Asha Shivakumar

DOSA with PEANUT CHUTNEY(a perfect South Indian breakfast)

Imagine going to your in-laws’ home for the first time, that itself is nerve wrecking(it was for me). How would you react if they ask you to make dosa? It was quite overwhelming. At that time, I didn’t know how to make coffee to save my life, leave alone the art of making a perfect crispy dosa. I slowly made my way to the kichen, kept the flat iron pan, and started making my dosas. That was not so bad until my father-in-law came and said, “hold on, let me show you how to make a proper dosa”(in a nice tone). My ego was hurt, and I was not a happy girl.

Back at my parents’ home, we did make dosa, but it is not as popular as it is in some parts of Southern India. My hubby comes from Coimbatore, a place known for its idli and dosa. Well, along the years, I’ve learnt much traditional cooking from my in laws, and I love their cooking style.
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